In the wake of threats by some outfits to organise protests on Valentine's Day, the Centre on Thursday asked the Karnataka government to take "preventive and punitive" action to ensure law and order.

In a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa [Images], Home Minister P Chidambaram [Images] drew his attention to reports of Rashtriya Hindu Sena and Sri Rama Sene to organise protests across the state on Valentine's Day which falls on February14.

Statements of leaders of these parties are a threat to law and order, the home minister said, adding that he hoped the state government will take "preventive and punitive" action to ensure that no organisation took the role of "self-styled arbitrator" of morals and morality.

The home ministry hoped that such organisations will not involve in acts illegal and disruptive for peace and law and order, Chidambaram said in a letter to Yeddyurappa.

The Home Minister told the Karnataka government that it was ready to send additional help, if required, to maintainlaw and order.

The Sri Rama Sene activists and a few fringe saffron outfits have threatened to disrupt Valentine's Day celebrations contending that the festivities are "alien" to Indian culture.